WMSN

Wireless Medical Sensor Networks

Introduction

Wireless sensor network devices have been reshaping human lives from many years. These devices are essential in several hospitals in order to monitor patients and, emerge as promising devices. Technology is advancing day by day and, each day brings revolution and new concepts. With the advancement of technology, there are risks associated with the use of wireless devices. Patient's reliable communications, patient mobility and energy efficient routing are easily detected with the help of wireless medical sensor networks (WMSN). In certain cases, it is found, that privacy of patient has become vulnerable. Physiological data of any patient is sensitive and, security is the important aspect of health care applications. In this essay, we discuss about critical issues which business associates face due to unprotected health care information. The advancement of WMSN brought several challenges which are the problem theme of this topic.

Discussion

As we all know that, wireless is the part of network system, which has certain distinctiveness such as mobility, and large scale deployment. WSN are not only found in engineering fields but, also water monitoring, health care and military services. The reason of using WSN in health care applications is low cost and easily available (B.J.G, 2010). They make medical records easily accessible for many business associates. Major goals of such wireless devices are to deploy numerous sensor devices and, collect the data from environment and, transmission of data to the base station and remote station. This data is in the raw form and, later analyzed at the isolated server and, dependent upon requirements of applications.

Health care industry has made drastic improvements in 21st century with the help of wireless medical sensor networks (WMSNs). WMSN have become essential part for each health care section and quality care. The population of world is increasing day by day, and with the number of growing population numerous individuals are entering in old age with different diseases (http://www.nia.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres). Examples for such cases are diabetes which normally occurs at the age of 60. If old people choose to live independent then, continuous monitoring is required for such patients and, Wireless medical sensor networks are providing high quality care in such contexts. WMSN is providing continuous monitoring of such patients and, on the other hand WMSN is also providing source of investigation and research (Gaddam, 2011).

Wireless medical sensors are mostly portable, and installed on several kind of communication notes such as Mica2, MicaZ and Telos. Mica2 note has the frequency of 7.3 MHz with 128 KB of RAM and, 4 KB of RAM for data. Variety of health care applications are performed by WMSN such as monitoring in ambulances while taking patients to the hospital, very important monitoring which include sign monitoring, care of elderly people monitoring at their homes, monitoring of patients at several clinics and other services. Additional features of WMSN provides continuous monitoring of sport man health and, auto care for patients such as injection of insulin automatically at specific time period when ...